Rail joint



Patented dan. 16, 1923.

ADERSON B. C. GRANGE, OIEA IVIARLINTON, WEST VIRGINIA.

RAIL JOINT.

Application filed October 2G, 1922. Serial No. 597,124.

- To all @oh-0m. may concer/lt Be it known that l, Aer-neon B. C. GRANGE, a citizen of the United States` residing at Marlinton, in the county of Pocahontas and State of' West- Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail Joints, of which the Following is a specification.

rlhe present invention relates to splice joints `for railways, and the object is to provide a joint structure in which the necessity for threaded bolts eliminated and a secure holdingmeans is provided that will not become loosened under the jar and vibration of' passing trains.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective View,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the base member,

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the same,

Figure et is a cross sectional view ot the assembled device,

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view showing' the means ior holding the wedge in place.

The abutting rail ends are designated respectively 6 and 7, and are of the usual structure having transverse bolt holes.

The invention comprises a base plate 8 having at one side an upstanding fish plate member 9 that is adapted to overhang the hase flange of the rail and is provided with a vertical portion having transverse integral pins l0 that are adapted to pass through the bolt holes, and have their free ends project beyond the web of the rail. These projecting ends are provided in their under sices with inwardly tapered notches 11. A detachable fish plate member 12 is adapted to overlie the opposite base flange of the rail and is provided with outwardly flared openings 12:L that receive the projecting portions otl the studs or pins 10. These openings flare downwardly and thus produce relatively sharp bearing edges 13 that are adapted to engage in the notches 11, as illustrated. The lower portion of the removable fish plate member 12 has an outwardly extending lip or flange lll.

The side of the base plate 8 opposite to that carrying the fish plate member 9 has an upstanding flange 15, the inner base of which is inwardly inclined, as shown at 16, and between said flange and the lower edge of the detachable fish plate member 12 is placed a longitudinally slidable clamping wedge 17 having a rib 18 that underlies the lish plate member 12. Said abutting edge oft the lish plate member 12 is tapered corresponding to the taper of the wedge.

The smaller end ot' the wedge projects beyondI the base plate 8 and is provided with a transverse opening 19 through which is passed a locking key 20. One or more washers 21 may be interposed between this key andthe adjacent end of the base plate and said key in turn is preferably provided with an opening 22 to receive a Cotter pin.

lilith this construction it will be evident that when the parts are assembled, if the wedge 17 is driven longitudinally to a seating position it will crowd the member 12 against the rail and upwardly so that the edges 13 will enter the notches 11 and bite into the lugs, thereby effectively holding all the parts in place. A clearance space is left between the upper edge of the member 12 and the head of' the rail so as to allow for the necessary clamping action.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or .sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A rail joint structure, comprising a base plate on which the rail ends rest, said base plate having an upstanding fish-plate member at one side provided with rail-engaging lugs and said lugs having notches in their under side, a removable sh plate member having sockets to receive the free ends of the lugs and having )oi-tions that engage in the notches thereofq and means engaged with the base plate and the removable lish plate member for crowding the latter against the rail and forcing the said portions into the notches.

2. Av rail joint structure, comprising a base plate on which the rail ends rest, said base plate having an upstanding fish plate member at one side provided with rail-engaging lugs and said lugs having notches in their under side, a removable fish plate member having sockets to receive the free ends oi the lugs and having portions that engage in the notches thereof, said base plate having an upstanding overhanging flange along the side opposite its upstanding fish plate niember, a wedge slidable longitudinally between the flange and lower edge of the removable fish plate member to crowd said portions thereof into the notches, and means for look ing the wedge against detachment.

3. A rail joint structure, comprising a base plate on which the rail ends rest, said base plate having an upstanding fish platemember at one side provided `with rail-engaging lugs and said lugs having notches in their under side, a removable [ish plate member having sockets to receive the Vfree ends of the lugs and having portions that engage in the notches thereof, said base plate having an upstanding overhang-ingflange along the side opposite its upstandng fish plate member, a wedge slidable longitudinally between the flange and lower edge of the removable sh plate member to crowd said portions thereof into the notches, and having its smaller end projecting beyond the base plate and provided with an opening, and a looking lzey that passes through the opening.

In testimony whereof, I aix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AIDER-SGN B. C. GRANGE. Witnesses:

W. F. Rirrn'ron, P. T. LYoNs. 

